The Connection editors Kadreanna Walker, Sloan Campbell and Havana Loren Medina are going around Sacramento and reviewing some of the newest and most popular spots in town in their new column, “Hawk Takes.” Their first trip? A visit to one of Elk Grove’s newest fast food restaurants on April 1.
Bohl, a customizable salads and bowls restaurant, opened in Elk Grove on March 6. It is located off of Laguna Springs Drive next to A Seat at the Table Books and is open every day from 10:45 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The business owners, Kyle and Hailey Garrett, are franchisees of Dutch Bros. Coffee and have opened 12 other Bohl locations across Northern California. The Garretts said they are focusing on healthy, high quality ingredients and wanted a place where they can “eat often and feel good about it,” according to their mission statement.
Having arrived in the middle of lunch, it was challenging to find parking amidst the sea of packed cars. The restaurant’s minimalistic design, together with its slightly hidden position in the corner of the shopping center, made it difficult to find.
While customers occupied every table inside, there was available seating open on the patio. Despite the long line, the amount of workers on shift sped up the ordering process. For those who don’t want to wait, self-ordering kiosks allow customers to pick up their order at the register.
Bohl’s menu gives you the opportunity to create your own bowl or order signature dishes like “Feta late than neva” and “Romaine empire.” Choosing the former allows you to pick ingredients across five stations: base, protein, vegetables, dips and sauces. You can also add pita chips and a drink to your order.
While on the pricier side compared with its competitors, Bohl offers larger portions that easily filled our stomachs and left most satisfied.
Choosing the create-your-own bowl option felt like the best idea for this trip. The ingredients by themselves were decent, but when mixed together, the flavor is enhanced. The portion of romaine lettuce was slightly too much, but it was very crisp, and the brown rice was soft but bland on its own. The chicken was well seasoned and tender, while the steak was tough in some bites and bland in others. Still, the protein was nicely portioned, ensuring some in every bite.
The vegetable portions are individually small but together amount to a generous layer on top of the bowl, each bringing a new flavor and texture to the combination. The avocado was bland on its own but brings a silky smooth texture that contrasts with the crunch of the other ingredients. The pickled onions were slightly crunchy and brought an acidic, vinegary taste that helped tie the bowl together.
Their dips and sauces are what really make the bowl, pulling in flavors where the bowl is lacking. The tzatziki sauce is creamy and pairs well with the spicy chipotle dressing, which adds a kick.
Offering pita chips instead of the tortilla chips that similar restaurants like Chipotle have is a nice touch that reinforces the healthier vision the company promotes. The pita chips were very well seasoned and evenly baked, with crispy edges and a fluffy interior. The house-made lemonade also leans on the healthier side, tasting very bitter and seeming to lack the sugary balance in a typical lemonade.
My total came out to $27.57, including the bowl itself priced at $15.85, the $2 upcharge for avocado, the $2.85 chips, the $3.15 for an added drink and a $1.50 charge for hot sauce.
While I love Chipotle, Bohl is a great alternative for an occasional trip. However, next time, I will be sure to cut down my costs by ordering less additives.
Rating: 7.5/10 | Would recommend: Yes
It’s probably best to stick to one base, since picking a mix of white rice and spring mix was a mistake. When splitting the base, the bottom of the bowl is thinly lined with rice, with the greens on top. While good on their own, it’s a hassle to get it all in one bite.
The grilled steak was a hit or miss with its uneven seasoning and textures. However, the herb roasted chicken was soft and evenly coated.
The pickled onions were also a letdown. They had the vinegar taste you’d expect from pickled onions but lacked the tanginess you’d often find. It was almost like they had more water in their solution than vinegar. The roasted corn was average at best. While it was roasted—visually, at least—it lacked an actual roasted flavor and had little to almost no spice.
While avocado is listed under toppings on their website, it’s an extra $2 charge to add to your bowl. It was smooth, making it easy to scoop with their pita chips, but that’s all it was, lacking seasoning aside from salt.
Like the roasted corn and pickled onions, the tzatziki dip also lacked flavor. It had its typical components, like dill and cucumber, but it was very minimal, lacking the prominent garlic flavor found in traditional tzatziki.
The total for my half-chicken, half-steak bowl with avocado came out to $19.94, with an additional $3.15 for a fountain drink and $2.85 for a side of pita chips, bringing the total to $25.94.
If you’re looking for a fast casual style of Mediterranean food, there are plenty of better places in Sacramento County.
Rating: 5.75/10 | Would recommend: No
All the ingredients were fresh, which aligns with Bohl’s mission statement. That statement on flavor might be a bit extreme though, since not every ingredient packed as solid a punch as others.
For example, among the protein options, the herb roasted chicken seems to be the most solid pick. While the tofu was slightly tough and chalky, the chicken was soft, flavorful and paired well with the fluffy white rice.
As for toppings, the roasted sweet potatoes stood out the most, though the restaurant’s offering of kimchi was an interesting choice that similar build-your-own restaurants don’t carry.
The highlight of the meal, however, was the ranch dressing, which tied the various ingredients together. The overall taste of an order relies heavily on the dressing, as the ranch packed a creamy, flavorful punch that the individual ingredients couldn’t have delivered on their own.
The pita chips were another highlight. Reminiscent of Cava’s signature side dish, the bread was on the softer side and had just the right amount of seasoning. I paired my pita with the tzatziki dip, which wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. The pita works with or without a dip to accompany it, a testament to its quality.
Lastly, the strawberry dragon fruit juice was the perfect beverage to wash everything down, its sweetness contrasting nicely with the savory food.
All of this totaled $18.16, which includes $2.85 for the pita chips. Instead of paying the $3.15 charge on fountain drinks, I opted for a free water cup that did the job just as well.
It’s difficult to compare Bohl’s menu with Chipotle’s, especially since the two businesses serve different cuisines. That said, if you’re in the mood for Mediterranean, I wouldn’t hesitate to give Bohl a try.
Rating: 8/10 | Would recommend: Yes